In Exodus 3:7-12, Moses' first excuse to God for trying to get out of going to Egypt is to ask, “Who am I?” Is this not a question we ask? “Who am I? I can't make a difference!” And yet we know what a difference Moses made. If we look through the scriptures, we see time and again a single person making a tremendous difference.
In Genesis 18:23-33, what difference would there have been if there had been only 10 righteous people in Sodom? Later, when Israel set about conquering the promised land, thank of the difference Rahab made in hiding the spies (Joshua 2:1-7). And just a short time later, think of the difference made by Achan, when he hid loot in his tent after the destruction of Jericho, and the deaths that were the consequence (Joshua 7:1-15). In the 17th chapter of I Samuel, we see several individuals having a great impact on nations. Goliath caused the entire Israelite army to fear and remain in place. What an impact he had! And then, when David, one individual, did something about it, the Israelites took heart and the Philistines fled. Or think of Esther, and the difference she made: she saved the entire Hebrew people.
And it's not only in the Old Testament that we see such a huge difference being made by individuals. If not for John, who would prepare the way for Christ (Matthew 3:1-12)? Or consider what difference was made by Judas Iscariot (Mark 14:10-11, 43-45). In John 4:39-42, we see a woman having a great impact in bringing others to Christ. Or consider the impacts that Saul/Paul had. When we first see Saul, he is persecuting the church, causing concern among all Christians (Acts 8:1-3). Later, consider the difference Paul makes in his traveling, preaching, and writing.
Time and again, individuals make a huge impact. If they can make a difference, we can too. We are told that the great men and women and faith provide us with evidence that it can be done.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
So what can I do to make a difference? What can you do to make a difference? We can teach, whether by word or example or by print, formally or informally. We can encourage, whether in word or by card. We can train our children. We can do good works and lend a helping hand where it is needed. Whether for good or for evil, each of us will make a difference in this life. Will we make a positive difference, like David? Or will the difference we make be detrimental, like Achan?
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3 comments:
I had a question about what I read in the bible a couple of weeks ago. I can't remember the book. I will just paraphrase it. It said if you were baptized and then sinned you were better off not being baptized at all and it said something about not being forgiven of your sins. To me since I was baptized (church of Christ)then since I have sinned then my sins will not be forgiven. I wish I could remember where I read that. Maybe you might know. This has me wanting to quit trying to be obiediant to God. I love him and know that Jesus is his son. But when I read that that day it hit me hard. Thanks.
I think the verse you are referring to is II Peter 2:20-21, which reads,
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."
The context of this verse is of false teachers who are turning others away from Christ and those who follow them. In other words, we're looking at people who leave the Way completely, not just stumble. Christ can, and will forgive sin after a person converts to Him. For some examples, consider these:
Acts 8:14-25 - Simon the Sorcerer - After obeying the gospel and being baptized, he sins. The next step he was to take, as Peter taught him, was prayer asking for forgiveness.
I Corinthians 5:1-8 - The adulterer - In vv.4-5, Paul admonishes the church in Corinth to withdraw from the brother, that his soul might be saved. In II Corinthians 7, we lean that this is exactly what happened, when the brother, and indeed those in the church who failed to take action, repented. That their repentence led to salvation (vv. 9-12).
One might also consider Peter, who sinned on a number of occasions after coming to Christ (for example, Matthew 26:69-75 and Galatians 2:11-21). Yet he was forgiven of his sins.
In Hebrews 11, and the first few verses of chapter 12, we are given a list of men and women as examples and evidence that following God can be done. Yet all of these men sinned. God recognizes that man will sin. And He is willing to forgive us when we ask for forgiveness and turn back to Him.
The only sin that the Bible teaches that God will not forgive is the one that is not repented of and for which forgiveness is not sought.
I found the verse i was talking about yesterday Heb. 10:27
Thanks
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